Joe Cole scored a last gasp equaliser to save England from defeat to the Czech Republic. Having gone behind to a strike from former Portsmouth man Milan Baros, Manchester United's Wes Brown netted his first ever England goal seconds before the half-time whistle. But, with just three minutes played in the second half, Fabio Capello's men found themselves behind again after a strike from Marek Jankulovski, before Cole struck to level the scores 2-2.

Northern Ireland striker David Healy missed a penalty in his country's 0-0 draw with Scotland. Nigel Worthington's men were handed a life-line having had 18-year old debutant Ryan McGivern sent off, but the Fulham man's penalty was saved by Scotland's substitute goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

Wigan Athletic midfielder Jason Koumas opened the scoring for Wales in their 1-2 defeat to Georgia. Koumas struck to put his country ahead after just 16 minutes, only for Wales to fall behind to goals from Levan Kenia and Beka Gotsirdze.

opening goal

Liverpool new-boy Robbie Keane opened the scoring for a Republic of Ireland side including a wealth of Barclays Premier League stars, in the country's 1-1 draw in Norway. The Republic took a deserved lead through skipper Keane's predatory 44th-minute strike, before Norway's Tore Reginiussen beat West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Dean Kiely to net the equaliser.

A host of Barclays Premier League talent took part in Denmark's encounter with Spain. Aston Villa's Martin Laursen, Liverpool's Daniel Agger and Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner all started for the Danes, while Liverpool hitman Fernando Torres represented Spain, alongside Reds team-mate Xabi Alonso. It was Alonso who opened the scoring, hitting home in the 50th minute to gift Spain the lead. A further goal from Xavi Hernandez followed before Alonso scored again to put the match beyond Denmark's reach. 

Middlesbrough's Emanuel Pogatetz scored for an Austria side also featuring Paul Scharner of Wigan Athletic, in his country's 2-2 draw with Italy. Meanwhile, Arsenal's Robin van Persie scored the opening goal in Holland's 1-1 draw with Russia.